


Che Librarp 
of the 
Ciniversity of Worth Carolina 


Collection of Porth Caroliniana 


S22 
Nn BYn pee 


Dili 
00043582453 


This book must not 
be taken from the 
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LUNC-15M F.38 
OP-15906 





REPORT OF STATE HOSPITAL COMMISSION. 


Ratziew, N. C., December 29, 1908. 


His Excellency, Hon. R. B. Guenn, 
Governor of North Carolina, Raleigh, N. C. 


Sir :—The State Hospital.Commission, which you appointed 
under and by virtue of chapter 191 of the Public Laws of 1907, 
herewith respectfully renders you a detailed statement of what 
it has done, and the amount of money expended from the date 
of its appointment to the close of the present fiscal year, to-wit, 
December 30, 1908. 

The main object of the act creating this commission was, as 
we understand it, to provide for additional accommodations 
for all white and colored insane, all epileptics, and all other 
mental defectives, and, incidentally, to make only such repairs 
to the several institutions as the commission deemed absolutely 
necessary. In order that the commission might intelligently 
proceed upon the work before it, our first task was that each 
member should thoroughly inform himself as to the condition 
of the several institutions, and of the number of unfortunates 
in the State who require its care and protection. 

Accordingly, we visited the hospitals at Raleigh, Morganton 
and Goldsboro, and made a thorough inspection of those insti- 
tutions, ascertaining the needed repairs at each place, the .abso- 
lute necessity for more land at each, and the strong and pressing 
demand from every section of the State for admittance into the 
several hospitals of unfortunate insane and epileptics who were 
confined in the county jails and county homes, we immediately 
realized that the progress of the commission would not be as 
rapid as we had hoped, on account of the appropriation for 
these purposes being lmited to $125,000 per year. 

Being hampered in this way, we have done the best we could 
ag we saw it, and we trust the people of the State fully under- 
stand why more has not been accomplished. 

When the commission was organized, we ascertained that the 
State had an option on what was known as the Grimes land, a 
tract of 1,137 acres,’ which adjoins the Hospital at Raleigh, 


P2B0S| 


2 REPORT OF STATE HOSPITAL COMMISSION. 


for the sum of $53,500. This option would expire in a few 
days, and, therefore, this important matter first demanded our 
attention. We found that the Joint Committee on Insane Asy- 
lums for the General Assembly of 1907 had recommended to 
the General Assembly the purchase of this land. Your Excel- 
lency had also recommended it in your message to that session 
of the General Assembly, and, upon our failure to secure an 
extension of this option, the commission, after a thorough in- 
spection of the land, decided, with the approval of the Governor 
and the Council of State, to purchase the same, which we did, 
and for which we paid $53,500, and for which the State now 
has a good deed, duly executed and recorded. 

The commission did not think, at the time of this purchase, 
that the State at present actually needs all of this land, and, as 
the owners would not sell a part of the same, we thought it best 
to buy all of it, and we feel that the land is well worth the 
money, and that we could to-day sell it for considerably more 
than we paid for it. 

The commission discovered, soon after its organization, that 
the Hospital at Raleigh was, in a great many respects, inferior, 
especially in buildings, sanitation and equipment, to the Hos- 
pital at Morganton. The Raleigh buildings are much older, 
and have been in use for many years. The plumbing, toilet 
rooms and closets in many instances were old and out of date. 
We found that the Morganton Hospital had superior and more 
modern buildings, better equipment, better outbuildings, a bet- 
ter laundry, better boilers, a better and more modern system of 
dining rooms, more and better land, and better and more beau- 
tiful grounds, and that it cared for about twice as many pa- 
tients. 

On these and perhaps other accounts the coinmission readily 
concluded that there has justly grown up in the State a feeling 
that the Morganton institution is superior, from many stand- 
points, to the Raleigh institution. Accordingly, we adopted the 
policy of trying to place the two institutions on an equality, if 
possible, not only as to accommodations for about the same 
number of patients, but also as to equipment, furniture, etc. 
We believe this the correct policy, for we think it unjust that 
either of these institutions should be considered better than the 


REPORT OF STATE HOSPITAL COMMISSION. 3 


other. They both belong to the State, and each should be 
equally esteemed and regarded by the people of the State. 

For the Hospital at Raleigh we have erected and furnished 
and turned over to the directors an annex, which will accommo- 
date one hundred men. This building is a modern, fireproof 
structure, is comfortably furnished and equipped, and is, in our 
opinion, a credit to the State. It, with furniture, fixtures, etc., 
cost, approximately, $70,000, and is now being filled by insane 
men from both the eastern and western districts. 

We are now erecting a new building at Raleigh which will 
accommodate one hundred convalescent women, and are also 
erecting there a group of three buildings, on the colony plan, 
for one hundred convalescent men. 

The commission, after careful deliberation, decided for the 
present to locate the buildings for all white epileptics also at 
Raleigh. Some of the members of the commission, however, 
were decidedly of the opinion that the epileptic buildings should 
be on land in a different locality and under an entirely different 
management, but we are now erecting there a group of three 
buildings for one hundred epileptic men, and another group of 
three buildings for one hundred epileptic women. We are, 
therefore, erecting at the present time at Raleigh ten buildings, 
the contract price for which, exclusive of plumbing, heating 
and furniture, is $66,539. When these buildings are completed 
we will have provided room at Raleigh for five hundred addi- 
tional patients. 

We have alsé decided to provide a system of associated dining 
rooms at Raleigh, and to install there new bathrooms and toilet 
rooms, which will give room in the present buildings for about 
seventy-five additional patients. 

We have also erected a new storeroom at Raleigh, and also 
a carpenter shop there. 

We have appropriated for the Hospital at Raleigh $198,456.- 
76. This amount covers what has been paid out, as well as the 
amount which will be due on uncompleted contracts, and will 
pay for the eleven buildings and the land at Raleigh, but will 
not furnish the ten buildings under construction. A detailed 
statement of the appropriations for the Hospital at Raleigh is 
hereto attached, marked Exhibit A. 


4 REPORT OF STATE HOSPITAL COMMISSION. 


We found the buildings at Morganton in good condition, and 
little was requested there in the way cf repairs. We found it 
necessary to purchase 154 acres of land adjoining that insti- 
tution, to be used for farming purposes. This land cost us 
$5,000. An addition to the laundry was provided; eight tene- 
ment houses were erected for employees at the Hospital. 

We have erected at Morganton a building known as. the 
nurses’ home.’ In this building all female attendants will be 
quartered. This building, with furniture and equipment, cost, 
approximately, $25,000. This building enables the Hospital to 
provide for one hundred and two additional female patients. 

We have also authorized the erection of three buildings on 
the colony plan at Morganton to accommodate one hundred 
men, to cost, with equipment and furniture, about $30,000. 
Plans and specifications have been adopted, and these buildings 
will be erected with the greatest possible dispatch. 

In this connection we desire to say that we have granted 
every request made of us by the directors of the Hospital at 
Morganton. We have done this just as soon as our appropria- 
tions were adequate for this purpose, after making provision 
for other buildings and improvements which we thought to be 
more urgent and pressing. 

A detailed statement of the appropriations for the Hospital 
at Morganton is attached and marked Exhibit B. 

The commission found a bad state of affairs at the Hospital 
at Goldsboro. The engines were worn and almost unfit for use; 
there was inadequate fire protection, one boiler was practically 
burnt out; the water supply was foul and not healthy, the water- 
closets were unsanitary; the lighting plant was in, very bad con- 
dition; the ice plant and cold-storage room needed repairing; 
there was a lack of farming tools and equipments; there was 
not sufficient room for the employees, and the institution needed 
additional land. This gives a fair idea of the conditions there, 
and it was difficult for the commission to understand how the 
officers of that institution had managed to get along at all, or 
to. conduct it with any sort of success. 

We have remedied these troubles, and the institution now has 
a respectable equipment. 


REPORT OF STATE HOSPITAL COMMISSION. 5 


We are now erecting at Goldsboro four buildings, two for 
consumptives and two for epileptics. These buildings, when 
completed, will make room in the present buildings for eighty- 
four patients, and will cost, exclusive of equipment, $23,650. 

A detailed statement of the appropriations for this institu- 
tion is attached and marked Exhibit C. 


RECAPITULATION. 


From the above it will be observed that when the buildings 
and improvements now under construction are completed, we 
will have provided for 575 additional patients at Raleigh, which 
will double the present capacity of that institution. We will 
have provided for 102 additional female patients at Morganton 
and also 100 males at Morganton, and eighty-four new patients 
at Goldsboro, a grand total of 861. 

The commission has begun, as herein stated, the erection of 
buildings at Raleigh to provide for all that class of white epi- 
leptics known as insane epileptics, some of whom are now in 
the Hospitals at Raleigh and Morganton, many more being in 
the county homes and jails. It contemplates the erection, in 
the near future, of additional buildings for that other grade of 
epileptics (not insane now), and for those unfortunates called 
mental defectives, who are not admitted to the Hospitals, but 
are in county homes and private families. 

We think that all epileptics and all mental defectives should 
be under one management, and to this end we recommend to the 
General Assembly through you the enactment of such a law as 
will require these classes of unfortunates to be provided for at 
the same place. 

The commission is also of the opinion that all tubercular 
white insane should be cared for at the sare place, and, as 
we have provided for epileptics, as stated above, at Raleigh, we 
are of the opinion that it would be reasonably fair and just and 
economical that the tubercular insane should be cared for at 
Morganton, not only for climatic reasons, but for the further 
reason that a special care and treatment is required for this 
form of disease, and we do not think it economical to maintain 
two separate places for this purpose. 


6 REPORT OF STATE HOSPITAL COMMISSION. 


Your commission desires to make one other recommendation 
to the General Assembly through you, and we beg of you that 
you will give it careful consideration. 

There is more or less rivalry between the Hospital at Raleigh 
and the Hospital at Morganton. There is a feeling in the State 
that the Morganton institution is better in every respect than 
the Raleigh institution. It is a well-known fact that the Mor- 
ganton buildings and management, owing to a continuous man- 
agement over a long period of years, is recognized as the better 
institution of the two. This commission has determined, as far 
as is in its power, to place the two institutions on an équality 
as to buildings and equipments, and to dissipate, if possible, the 
idea that either institution is better than the other. 

In our judgment, the most effective way to bring about’ this 
condition of public sentiment is to have one Board of Directors 
for the State, who shall have in charge and control all three 
of the State Hospitals. This board should be composed, in our 
opinion, of one member from each congressional district. It. 
should be required to meet often, and to diligently supervise 
each. It should buy all of a certain kind of supplies for each 
institution, thereby securing them cheaper. The expense of this 
one board would be cheaper than the expense of three. 

This plan would not only prevent this unnecessary rivalry and 
especial effort on the part of each institution to obtain larger 
appropriations from the General Assembly in order that each 
might excel the other, but would enable the board to ask for only 
such appropriations as would be actually necessary to run all 
institutions economically under one system. It would also be 
greatly to the benefit of the State, in that it would have the 
effect to cause the boards to be independent of all local influ- 
ences, or the influence of any officer of any one institution. It 
would effectively abolish the rivalry between the white institu- 
tions, and in dissipating the sentiment that one is better than 
the other. 

We cannot close this report without expressing to your Ex- 
cellency our grateful appreciation for your invaluable assist- 
ance and advice in helping us to perform the responsible duties 
we have had before us. At all times you have been ready to aid 


RHPORT OF STATE HOSPITAL COMMISSION. ( 


us in the difficult tasks of this great and important work, and it 
has been extremely gratifying that we have had not only your 
advice and assistance, but your sympathy and approval of what 
we are trying to do. 
Respectfully submitted, 

Cuas. A. Wess, Chairman, 

J. W. McoNauttt, Secretary, 

J. H. WeEpprinerTon, 

1p, slog velo g Dum ou 

W. A. Erwin. 


—I 


REPORT OF STATE HOSPITAL COMMISSION. 


EXHIBIT A. 





RALEIGH APPROPRIATION. 


Storeroom. .. £5.45. 4. 4 ee ee EEL ac $ 4,200.00 
Carpenter Shop )s :is)oc cme eee eee eer cic 3,800.00 
Annex: for: 100 meni. + as seneienceneieten cient rele 48,265.00 
Grimes. land, 1,136 acres 2c ey eerie iene 53,500.00 
Barrett & ‘Thomson: .aceee oor eerie ee 3,093.97 
B. MeKenzie; “heating. - ct. auntie: Pie er. 8,764.00 
Young .& Hughes, plumbing eee peer nk: 3,725.00 
J. M.-Johnsony Sewer Dipe. erent enone 1,146.50 
Removal of old sewers: .... oe ne ee 85.00 
Additional to complete storeroom............. .. 1,685.25 
One building for Wwomeitcsee eee eee 21,900.00 
Group, of three” bull dime si eeemereteeiereenent tite 14,813.00 
Group of three buildings tie eeeeeeene cre ee ceeter 14,813.00 
Group. of ‘three buildings eee eee eran rene 14,813.00 
Sewer pipe connection with A. and M. College. . _ 500.00 

ost: ) IMI Mk a duo o oo OG $195,603.72 
Amount paid) for furniture ssaec er eee cies 2,847.04 

AM) 02) ES rirnto Sida Gon UG oO ab $198,450.76 
Advertising, Manufacturers’ Record........... 5.00 

A Melt: PIE Ss lado aoa aa $198,455.76 


RHPORT OF STATE HOSPITAL COMMISSION. 5 


EXHIBIT B. 


MORGANTON APPROPRIATION. 


1907. 
Nie Siupime rand: Woodard: lands... scm... sce %- $ 1,500.00 
Veta hye NON RAIS oe eek he 3,500.00 
PNG CAINE UO LV ULIVON Wisse rae esea mucins aisle eee: alenchee «aie 600.00 
MS TSHMGN MME OUSES. w scrh or Auctnfewio ais cdibenaics eoclide 3 4,800.00 
epammne Brit tally HOUSE. cms. he «oe «wee ehe eye tess 350.00 

1908. 
DECOM EMNITESCSMIOING: ssieted ss es ucbeis edie eleicvateiene oferstee oooh e 16,820.00 
Eeatinesplant for murses’ homes... 0.6.26 666+ 2,400.00 
oma pues fOr MUNSeS? WOME Sse. owes «secre ee ais 1,431.00 
PM  eoMaireime Old, IAUNGLY. sks. 0s6 cele ee geri ee ves 269.00 
Advertising for bids, Charlotte Observer........ TOTAS 
Advertising for bids, Raleigh Observer........ 11.55 
PAU: TE Vig crm ENTS VOLT Me ACO TTLOY.S stares avsiraiey ota ote a) site, 8 sm, sibers 25,00 
ae tence Oh OUISOM), weAT CHITCCLS sates cis scien aie cael ait 
Colotvas OUTIGINS SHOT MINGIia ys srr eta tans vis ese terene ailers 30,000.00 


TROUEN Sos GoGo URI a bias Sold On Morooomold Dee te $ 62,441.09 


10 REPORT OF STATE HOSPITAL COMMISSION. 


EXHIBIT C. 


GOLDSBORO APPROPRIATION. 


1907. 

May 10. (New! engine) (1) See CW OE, Seam Meare Fe I PAPER 
Hire: Protection °:).!. inc daira eee eee erin 771.00 

New boiler, 200 horse power... i. y eo. .s.n wens ne 1,172.00 

OKs) Me eS 5c so A gumalom ae oadodads 3,000.00 

Pipe line ..¢.05.4 44 8% |e ee eee 700.00 

TWO. PUMPS i... via dus bh eee Reineeah nearer ene aint 1,250.00 

Surface: ClOSETS.. 2. oie Weaa eae tee eee races 150.00 

Smith land, 216 Gress haven eee ee eee 6,000.00 

Plumbing sso OU. on ae eee ere 280.00 

Bath tubs: <5 sc s.'s. «eis ele eee Ieee 275.00 

Pipes and fittings. . seca eee ae 200.00 

Cement floors) 6.0.05 Vo Cen ee ene nee eee 225.00 

Dynamo and foundations and settingS.......... 2,480.87 

Aug, (7. “wo. tenement! NOuUses . 42 eye eerie ee 500.00 
Additional’ for fence, <0) ieee ee ee ee 100.00 

Pxtra amount allowedvonsboillemerr cri sne 581.48 

Hor removal ‘or old ouSest meres eerste 150.00 

Barrett & Chomson; \plamsyueuceaneee setae ere 413.87 
Additional allowed on repairs, ete............. 951.52 

Oct yi. Appropriation tors LOU ounce ea ee 23,650.00 
25). Additional cost ‘of furnishino eee eee 1,233.42 
Kreightand Setting pollersseeis ia eT er ae 581.43 

1908. 

oe AIM ey IMS ro aoe cchalane ye te cal See 1,200.00 
Wagon and cartso... 15 eee 145.00 

Wire fencing sce as See al ee eee eee 364.00 

Stables and shelters Aen see aera ee eee een 350.00 

Repairs ice plant and cold-storage room........ 264.00 

Rubbers for exchange acelin reeeeae 20.00 

Heaters, “hot water.) 2) a eeteys ee ea enee ee 505.00 

Turning lathes e002. sector eee ee 800.00 

Pump foundation and duplex... .e ee eee 100.00 


Dota sees y 5) avalos hse sane eee ee $ 49,034.74 











